An Information and Referral Website for Young People

Definitions of Homophobia

Homophobia happens on many levels. The dictionary describes homophobia as a fear or hatred of homosexuality,
homosexual people, lesbian, gay and bisexual identity, and refers to the values
and behaviours which express this fear and hatred.

Homophobia is any action, attitude, or behavior that discriminates against
or unfairly limits same-sex attracted people because of their sexuality
(e.g. preventing a same-sex attracted person from bringing their partner to social functions).

Personal homophobia (internalized, within yourself)

This is the individual's belief that lesbian, gay and bisexual
people are sinful, immoral or inferior to heterosexuals, or incomplete as women or men.
These views are always learned and they may be shared by lesbian, gay and bisexual people themselves.
In this case the homophobia is internalised.

When a lesbian, gay or bisexual person has internalised the belief
that they are sinful, immoral or inferior they may hide their sexuality,
try to make it mean less to them, decrease their expectations of life,
or engage in behaviours which are harmful to themselves and others.

Interpersonal homophobia (between two or more people)

This is the dislike, fear or hatred of people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual.
This dislike, fear or hatred may be expressed through name-calling,
verbal or physical harassment or acts of discrimination.

Most common examples of interpersonal homophobia are shunning,
being excluded from a group or name calling and even physical abuse.

Institutional homophobia

This refers to the many ways in which government, business,
churches and other organisations discriminate against people on the basis of
their sexual orientation. These organisations set policies, allocate resources
and maintain unwritten standards for the behaviour of their members or constituents which discriminate.

Cultural homophobia

This refers to social standards and norms which dictate that being
heterosexual is better than being lesbian, gay or bisexual.
These standards and norms are reinforced each day in television shows,
movies and print advertisements where virtually every character is heterosexual and every sexual and social
relationship involves a female and a male, or in the assumption made by most adults that all children will
eventually be attracted to and marry a person of the opposite sex. Often heterosexuals do not realise that
these standards exist, while lesbian, gay and bisexual people are acutely aware of them. This results in lesbians,
gays and bisexuals feeling like outsiders in society.

In day-to-day life, the following are examples of homophobic behaviours and attitudes many of us are guilty of:

thinking you can "spot one"

using words like "poof", "dyke", "fag", "gay", "lezzo" as an insult

thinking that a same-sex attracted friend is trying to "pick you up", if they are friendly towards you

not being supportive of a same-sex attracted friend when they break up with their partner

making unnecessary or rude comments about, or feeling repulsed by public displays of affection between same-sex partners

feeling that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are too outspoken about civil rights

assuming that everyone you meet is heterosexual

assuming that a lesbian is just a woman who couldn't find a man or that a lesbian is a woman who secretly wants to be a man

assuming that a gay man is just a man who couldn't find a woman or that a gay man is a man who secretly wants to be a woman

Is it homophobia or heterosexism?

Heterosexism

Is the assumption most people make that everyone is heterosexual and those
who aren't are abnormal or strange.

Is the belief that heterosexuality and heterosexual people are superior to
and more valuable than homosexuality and homosexual people. It is comparable to sexism and racism.

Is the belief in the inherent superiority of one type of love and relationship
and thereby their right to dominance.

Is the set of assumptions that excludes openly homosexual people from social,
religious, and political power. It is a system of coercion that demands heterosexuality in
return for first class citizenship.

When describing incidents of discrimination or harassment against gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, it may be more precise to use the
terms anti-LGBT bias or hate acts. And when discussing the belief, held by so many,
that homosexuality is "wrong" or "less than," it may be more accurate to use heterosexism.

How homophobia hurts us all

Name-calling is more than just a joke. Words that don't mean much to some people can deeply hurt and offend others.
It may not even hurt someone who is same sex attracted, but someone who is a close friend or maybe even a family member.

If you have experienced any form of homophobia you should report it. You don't have to hide. Speak to someone.

Nine things you can do to stop homophobia now:

In schools

Ensure your school is informed about its obligations under the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act and the New South Wales Department of Education Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy

Challenge the use of the word "gay" to mean second rate or bad

Start a school anti-homophobia group and publish information about homophobia in your school newsletter

In families, groups and the community

Challenge derogatory or demeaning statements, pointing out the harm that it causes (e.g. comments like "That's so gay" or anti-gay jokes)

Highlight examples of families, organisations and communities with LGBT members which have successfully accepted these members

Don't expect change to happen overnight - be patient with and show respect to those with different views

In the workplace

Make sure your workplace has an anti-harassment policy that covers lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and is enforceable

Challenge those who make slurs, jokes or other comments that demean or attack people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, or their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity

Be prepared with what you might say in response to discriminatory comments. For example, 'sexual orientation isn't important. What is important is that workers do their job properly.'

From Celebrating Diversity in Schools: making schools safer and more inclusive for same sex attracted and transgender students and staff (CD)